Mat Ishbia isn’t looking back on the Kevin Durant era in Phoenix. Speaking on NBA Today, the Suns owner admitted that while Durant is an all-time great, he simply wasn’t a fit for the team’s vision moving forward. Instead, Ishbia is confident in the pieces they got back and believes the new-look Suns are built for the future.
“[Kevin Durant] is a great player, nobody can ever question that, but he just wasn’t a fit for what we’re doing going forward,” said the Suns owner on NBA Today. “He’s had an amazing career, but he’s not a fit for what we’re doing going forward. We wish him the best, but we love the guys we got.”
Ishbia has made it clear that he’s not focused on chasing the most wins. Instead, the Suns are prioritizing chemistry, culture, and balance across the board with competitive role-players and hard-working individuals.
“We got great players back. Dillon Brooks is a tough-minded, winning type of guy. We love that, that’s what we have to build out here,” Ishbia added. “Jalen Green, a 23-year-old with upside. Then we got the 10th pick, Khaman Maluach. It takes time, it’s not gonna happen overnight, but we feel great about what we got here in Phoenix going forward.”
Bradley Beal is with the Clippers now after leaving the Suns in disgrace. Durant, meanwhile, has embraced his new role on the Houston Rockets, where he hopes to lift them to another level of contention. His departure was a major loss for Phoenix, but they are on a different path now after trying and failing to stack the deck.
Today, Devin Booker is all that remains of the failed star-studded trio that once defined Ishbia’s tenure. In two years with a top-heavy roster, the Suns failed to meet steep expectations, and they finally changed course this past summer by trading Durant and buying out Beal’s lucrative contract.
While they may not be as strong on paper, the Suns have realized that competing at the highest levels is easier with a team that’s built, not bought. By rebuilding around Booker and being patient with the process, Ishbia hopes to cultivate a winner’s mentality that envelops the entire roster. As a two-time champion and former MVP, you can’t blame Ishbia for looking to Durant, but his timeline doesn’t quite match up with their situation.
Now, with a roster of veterans and younger players, the Suns have gotten deeper and more well-rounded as a team, and that’s the formula that led to their rise in the 2020-21 campaign. If Ishbia plays his cards right, Phoenix may yet bounce back from its struggles and make amends for its disappointing run with one of the best scorers ever.
The Suns may have stumbled in their first attempt to build a superteam, but Ishbia’s message is clear: this time is about fit, toughness, and long-term growth. Phoenix is betting that a deeper, more balanced roster built around Booker can carry them further than star power alone ever did.
